Unpopular Opinion: Hendrix’s version is superior.
This is an opinion I’ve come to by listening to both dozens and dozens of times. What I can’t escape is that while the cover is longer and more expansive, there is nothing in SRV’s version that’s absent in Hendrix’s. Hendrix’s version has lyrics, that slap. So I have to give it to Jimmy by a hair.
I want to point out for context that I was exposed to Stevie’s version first and more often. Both versions can bring me to tears; I’d be difficult to exaggerate how much I love them both.
edit: also, Jimmy created little wing. And that counts for a lot.
Jimi’s version is short and sweet and kind of unpolished. It’s almost over before you’re done saying “fuck, I love this song”.
Kind of like meeting a “little wing” type of person.
I agree, and beyond that I don’t care for SRV’s cover at all.
I find it overdone as with most of SRV’s stuff. The chugga-chugg hand hand rake trick he puts in everything all the time just kills the vibe, especially at the turn. When he does back off and give the song some space he seems lost.
I think the song was special to Jimi and he felt that less is more, so he didn’t fuck with it. The result leaves you wanting more from the original…but that’s the hallmark of a great artist.
I agree, by a curly hair,
Amazing cover, perhaps the best of all covers in my opinion.
“I’m trying to expand on [Hendrix’s] stuff… Not that I can expand on it a whole bunch. But I try.”
